Research | Current

Dr Changzoo Song studied Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. His research interests include the politico-cultural dimensions of nationalism, Korean diasporic communities in the global context. He has been working on the nationalism and globalisation in the context of migrations of Koreans, and he is particularly interested in the following topics: Korean migrations Transnational lifestyles and identity changes of Korean Chinese migrant workers in South Korea, Comparative ethnic return migrations of Korean Chinese and Soviet Koreans to South Korea, Political consciousness and political participation of Korean Chinese migrant workers in South Korea, and Korean/Asian diasporic communities.

Dr. Song’s current research projects include the following: (1) the relationship between homeland and Korean diasporic communities, particularly Korean Chinese and Soviet Koreans; (2) the dynamics of nationalism and multiculturalism in Korea; and (3) Comparing ethnic return migrations of Korean Chinese and Soviet Koreans. He has been publishing articles and book chapters these topics. The most recent one includes "Diasporic Return, Homeland, Hierarchy, and Identity: Experiences of Korean Diasporic Returnees in South Korea" (2016); Kimchi, Seaweed and Seasoned Carrot in the Soviet Culinary Culture: The Spread of Korean Food in the Soviet Union and Korean Diaspora" (2016); "Engaging the diaspora in an era of transnationalism: South Korea's effort to build a deterritorialised nation" (2014).

Teaching | Current

Postgraduate supervision

Dr Song is currently supervising several PhD candidates including: Lynne Park, whose thesis deals with the notion of "trust" among Korean migrants in New Zealand; Sarah Lipura, who is working on the Korean international student migration to China, Philippines, and India; Jacob Cowan, whose doctoral thesis is about the internal resistance to the regime in North Korea.

Distinctions/Honours

Areas of expertise

My main research areas include nationalism, nation-building, and changes in nationalist ideology in Korea; Korean diaspora and identity transformations; Korea's diasporic engagement policy and de-territorialisation. I am also interested in language and nationalism issues.

Song, C. (2015). The Use of Nationalist Ideology in the Economic Development of South Korea: Implications for East Asian Development Model. In S. Hua, R. Hu (Eds.) East Asian Development Model: 21st Century Perspectives (pp. 21-43). New York: Routledge. Related URL.URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/25732

Song, C. (2014). Identity Politics and the Meaning of ‘Homeland’ among Korean Chinese Migrants in South Korea. Urban Anthropology and Studies of Cultural System and World Economic Development, 43 (4), 441-479. URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/26100

Song, C. (2014). Engaging the diaspora in an era of transnationalism: South Korea’s engagement with its diaspora can support the country’s development. IZA World of Labour (64), 1-10. 10.15185/izawol.64